Group photo of the Regional PFD participants.
The Policy Forum on Development (PFD) held its Asia Regional Meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal from September 24-26, 2019. Around 80 representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs), local authorities (LAs), and representatives of international organisations, national governments and the EU gathered to discuss issues on top of global agenda and the progress made in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was attended by ICA staff from the global office in Brussels, regional office in Delhi, and ICA members from Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The regional PFD looked at cooperation and partnerships between the EU and Asia; examined the progress of the 2030 Agenda at regional, national and local levels; encouraged debates around the state of enabling environment and presented the specific challenges that climate change brings to the region. The meeting reflected the essence and goal of the PFD: recognise CSOs and LAs as essential development actors to achieve shared development goals and create space for trust-building and frank exchange in developing multi-stakeholder dialogue on development policies.
While the SDGs focus on the national level, interactions and participation at the regional level provide space for sharing and discussion. This would help identify areas of cooperation and participation, identify “nuggets” of success, learn who has done what and how, and see if these examples can be replicated at the national or global level. In short, it was widely believed that good partnerships and best practices in the region could set an example for others to follow.
Despite consensus about the need to act to tackle the impact of climate change, the Asian region is not planning well to deal with the potential consequences of climate change. Human and environmental rights must be balanced, and social and equitable solutions taken into consideration. These were exemplified in in the session that discussed the impact of climate change on indigenous and other vulnerable communities. It was stressed that a shift needs to be made towards low carbon economies, adaptable infrastructure, and encourage models of sustainable consumption as well as emission-free jobs.
Mrs. Savitri Singh, Program Director, ICA-AP makes an intervention during the meeting
Cooperatives in agriculture, fisheries, forestry and consumer have a large membership base and the effect of climate change is felt directly by these members. Addressing climate change should be a priority to save members and institutions. ICA-AP staff shared information about the “ICA-AP Regional Capacity Building Program on SDG-13: Climate Action” from 19-21 November 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand. The theme of the program is: “Save the Environment to Sustain Future Generations.” The program is co-designed with experts from GIZ to build the capacity of senior executives and leaders of cooperatives.
(L-R) Dr. Asanka, Thilakrathana, NCC, Sri Lanka, Ms. Meena Pokhrel, NCCFL, Nepal, H.E. Veronica Cody, Ambassador, EUD Nepal, Mrs. Savitri Singh, ICA-AP & Mr. Mohit Dave, ICA-AP.
The ICA delegation had an opportunity to meet and greet H.E. Veronica Cody, Ambassador, European Union Delegation to Nepal. A draft communiqué summarising the main discussions with recommendations was presented by CSOs and LAs during the closing session: “We welcome and acknowledge the value of the Regional PFD Meeting in bringing us together to constructively engage with one another... the PFD looks forward to see Asia as an equal partner to the EU in the successful continue to collaborate among each other and with the EU in cooperation with regional bodies and in pursuit of genuine SDG implementation in the region towards development justice.”
